Beethoven expresses the hope that Ries might be able to sell the Mass op. 123 to a London publisher, as he urgently needs the money this would bring. (In 1822/23 Beethoven was in great financial difficulties, which is why he tried to sell the Missa solemnis as lucratively as possible. In so doing he did not shy from playing different publishers off against each other.)
Beethoven complains that even the Archduke's annuity is being continuously reduced. He is waiting for travel plans from Ries for his trip to London; he had been planning it since 1817 but had often put off.
He promises Ries that he will dedicate his new symphony (op. 125) to him. Ries had already dedicated his own second symphony to Beethoven a few years prior to this and was hoping that Beethoven would do the same for him. However Beethoven never did so despite many promises to the contrary. Beethoven dedicated his Ninth Symphony to the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III. The composer mentions an enclosed letter for Caspar Bauer which is to be passed on to the English king. It concerns the "Schlacht bei Vittoria" ("Battle of Vittoria") op. 91 which was dedicated to the Prince Regent and for which he would like to receive some token of recognition "at least a battle knife or a tortoise".
