Beethoven thanks the widow of his patron Ferdinand Kinsky for taking care of the continued payment of his quarterly annuity. As a decision can only be made by the highest guardianship authorities of the prince's heirs who were still minors, Beethoven hopes for a positive result. However whatever the outcome of the decision regarding continuation and method of payment of the annuity, he requests payment of the amounts which have not been paid since September 1811.
Together with Prince Lobkowitz and Archduke Rudolph, Prince Ferdinand Kinsky had signed an annuity agreement in March 1809, guaranteeing Beethoven an annual sum of 4,000 florins. Only Archduke Rudolph regularly honoured his obligation, the two princes often defaulted on their payments. After Prince Kinsky died as the result of a riding accident in November 1812, Beethoven negotiated with his heirs concerning the continued payment of his annuity.
