Beethoven asks his publisher Steiner, to send him different music (his own works and those by other composers). Due to the dispute surrounding the guardianship of his nephew he mainly needs these as presents so that he can win the favour of several of those involved ("so that the wheels on the coach can be greased"). Aside from this, part of the music is intended for Countess Erdödy and the composer Brauchle. As in all his letters to Steiner, Beethoven calls him "Generalleutnant", abbreviated to "g-l-l-t" and calls himself "Generalissimus", abbreviated to "g-s". Beethoven describes Steiner's successful music business as an "immense mine".
