Beethoven complains to Ries that he has still not received the additional 10 Dutch ducats to cover the costs of copying and postage which he has asked the publisher Birchall to pay. Beethoven is concerned about this as he has already had bad experiences with the English Prince Regent (to whom he had dedicated op. 91, never receiving a word of thanks or even any recognition of this). He urges Ries to intercede with Birchall about this on his behalf, describing his difficult financial situation. In this respect he is grateful for Ries' announcement that together with Neate he is planning a benefit concert for Beethoven. Ries represented Beethoven's business interests with London publishers. Beethoven had sold piano reductions of opp. 91 and 92 as well as opp. 96 and 97 to Birchall.
Ries had asked Beethoven about the dedication for opp. 96 and 97, allowing Beethoven to read between the lines that he would be happy to be dedicatee. Beethoven answers in not such a subtle and delicate manner, telling Ries that if he dedicated one of his works to Beethoven, he would respond by dedicating one of his to Ries. Even though Ries did so in 1818, dedicating his Symphony op. 80 to Beethoven, the latter did not return the favour. Although he thought for a short time about dedicating the Ninth Symphony op. 125 to Ries, he never realized this plan.
Ries had probably also asked Beethoven for a portrait. The composer is not quite sure how he is to convey it to England and therefore asks Ries' advice. Beethoven hopes to soon hear from Neate, to whom he has given several works. He sends greetings to Ries' wife, adding, "Unfortunately I do not have one [a wife], I only found one whom I will never possess, but am not an enemy of women on this account". This sentence is generally seen to be referring to the Immortal Beloved.
