Beethoven apologizes for the long delay in sending the Mass op. 123. A year before he had asked Franz Brentano to deliver it to the publisher Simrock as soon as it was finished. Beethoven explains that the delay is due to his long illness.
Beethoven announces that he will have the copy made at last and once he has corrected it, will send it immediately (he did not keep his promise, the sketches show that the mass had not been completed when this letter was written).
As in previous letters, he stresses that other publishers are willing to pay a higher sum, but considers his word to Simrock to be binding.
In the postscript he permits Brentano to send the letter on to Simrock for his information.
