Ludwig van Beethoven, Brief an Johann Nepomuk Kanka in Prag, Wien, Herbst 1814, Autograph

Beethoven thanks Kanka for his readiness to help him in his legal battles with Prince Ferdinand Kinsky's heirs. Beethoven offers to send Kanka the necessary documents should he need them. In addition he would very much like to give him some of his music. Kanka was a lawyer in Prague and curator for Joseph Count Kinsky who was still a minor. The Princes Kinsky and Lobkowitz and Archduke Rudolph had signed an agreement in 1809, guaranteeing Beethoven a lifelong annuity. After Prince Kinsky's death Beethoven had a disagreement with the family concerning further payment of Kinsky's share of the annuity. The heirs only agreed to continue payment in 1815.