Beethoven answers a letter from his publisher Simrock and first of all writes how busy he is, particularly on account of Archduke Rudolph. He confirms the opus number for op. 107 and promises to send the confirmation of ownership to Brentano in Frankfurt together with the Mass (op. 123). (Beethoven had already promised to send the Missa solemnis in 1820, but he only did so at the end of 1822/beginning of 1823. This is why Simrock had broken off negotiations long before then. We do not therefore know whether he ever received proof of ownership for op. 107.)
As far as the complete edition is concerned Beethoven writes that he intends to write a new work for each genre. He says thank you for the offer of scores for Karl which he had requested. Finally he expresses the hope that he "might be able to tread on the soil of my fatherland in the coming year and visit my parents' graves".
