As early as the end of May 1822 Beethoven negotiated with Carl Friedrich Peters in Leipzig concerning publication of quite a few works. He apologizes in a letter from Baden for the delay, giving various reasons for it and promises to send bagatelles and the Marches WoO 18-20 shortly. Peters had already paid for these works. As proof of payment Beethoven sends him a letter from Piringer, in which the latter confirms that payment from Leipzig has already been made. As no deal was finally closed with Peters despite lengthy negotiations, Beethoven repaid the money in December 1825.
Beethoven agreed to negotiate with Peters because he had left Steiner, his publisher of many years in Vienna. As in many letters to Peters, Beethoven warns the Leipzig publisher about Steiner's machinations. Peters is not to be swayed by any ill rumours from Vienna.
