Ludwig van Beethoven, Brief an Franz Salzmann, Wien, um den 8. Februar 1823, Autograph

Due to expensive legal battles fought over many years concerning the guardianship of his nephew Karl and the lack of productivity this caused, Beethoven was in great financial difficulties in 1820. Several friends, including the publisher Steiner, helped him out by lending him money. The pressure on Beethoven mounted at the beginning of the 1820s as he had to repay these loans. Around the turn of the year 1822/23 Beethoven and Steiner had a row, during which Steiner threatened to take him to court.

In 1819 Beethoven had acquired eight bank shares and on account of his quarrel with Steiner (and on the advice of his lawyer Dr. Bach) he considered selling one of these shares or taking out a loan against one of them so as to be able to repay his debts. Franz Salzmann was the head accountant at the royal Austrian National Bank. Beethoven discusses the question of loans with him and the problems of borrowing money against shares and their dividends.