Ludwig van Beethoven, Brief an Ferdinand Ries in London, Wien, Ende September 1814, Autograph

In summer/autumn 1813 Beethoven had composed the Battle Symphony "Wellingtons Sieg" ("Wellingtons Victory") op. 91, on the suggestion of the mechanic Johann Nepomuk Mälzel. It portrayed the victory of the English over Napoleon's troops in Spain. Mälzel was an inventive person and a good businessman. He had obviously recognized the potential of a battle symphony, as the musical picture exactly suited the taste of the times and was a great success.

After their harmonious early dealings, a dispute arose between the Mälzel and the composer, as Mälzel declared he owned the copyright and the composer disagreed. Beethoven was worried he would be cheated by Mälzel: Mälzel performed the work without the composer's permission.

To prevent Mälzel from performing it in London against his wishes, Beethoven writes to his former pupil Ferdinand Ries, who had settled there and often represented the composer's interests in England. Beethoven had probably enclosed his "Declaration and Invitation to the Artists in London" in this letter. He asks Ries to make Mälzel's vile behaviour known in London and if necessary to publish his explanation (which did not happen).