Ludwig van Beethoven, Brief an Ferdinand Ries in London, Wien, 5. Februar 1823, Autograph

Beethoven assures Ries in London that the Philharmonic Society can definitely count on the symphony (op. 125) which they have ordered. An employee of the Austrian Embassy in London (Caspar Bauer) will bring it at a later date so that its delivery is quicker and less complicated. However, Beethoven asks them to pay his money first. (Originally the symphony was to be delivered in March 1823. In actual fact Beethoven first sent op. 125 to London in April 1824.) As "proof of my love and trust in this society" he offers to send them the Overture op. 124 in advance. He has already given it to Herr Bauer, who will bring it to London.

Beethoven gives the Philharmonic Society exclusive performance rights for the overture for a period of 18 months. However, he mentions that his brother Johann has already unlawfully offered this overture to the London publisher Boosey. Although Beethoven sold the other works to his brother which the latter has offered to the publisher (probably op. 119 and WoO 28), this was not the case with the overture and Johann has no right to it. Beethoven asks for a prompt response regarding the overture; should the society not be interested, he would like to have it published in Vienna as soon as possible.

Beethoven regrets that he has still not received Ries' second Symphony op. 80, which is dedicated to him. He can only dedicate one of his works to Ries once he knows the composition which has been dedicated to him. Although Beethoven frequently discusses the matter of dedicating a work to Ries in the letters that follow, it never came to anything in the end. Beethoven hopes to be able to travel to London the following year if his health has improved.