But now, gracious Elector and Lord, that because of the reduction in salaries Chapelmaster Dousmoulin has already asked his demission or will soon do so, and I at the command of Baron Belderbusch am to begin _de novo_ to fill his office, and the same must surely be replaced,--Therefore There reaches Your Electoral Grace my humble petition that you may graciously be pleased (: inasmuch as the “Toxal” must be sufficiently supplied with _musique_, and I must at all events take the lead in the occurring church ceremonies _in puncto_ the chorales:) to grant me the justice of which I was deprived on the death of Your Highness’s _antecessori_ of blessed memory, and appoint me chapelmaster with some augmentation of my lessened salary because of my services performed in _Duplo_. For which highest grace I shall pour out my prayers to God for the long continuing health and government of your Electoral Grace, while in deepest submission I throw myself at your feet. Your Electoral Grace’s most humble servant Ludwig van Beethoven “Passist.” M. F. Whereas We, Maximilian Friedrich, Elector of Cologne, on the demission of our former chapelmaster Touche Moulin, and the humble petition of our bass singer Ludwig van Beethoven have appointed the latter to be chapelmaster with the retention of his position as bass singer, and have added 97 rthlr. _species_ 40 alb. to his former salary of 292 rthlr. _species_ 40 alb. per annum divided in _quartalien_, which appointment is hereby made and payment ordered by our grace, our exchequer and all whom it may concern are called on to observe the fact and do what is required under the circumstances. Attest, etc. Bonn, July 16, 1761. Next in order, at an interval of rather more than a year, is the following short paper in reply to a petition, not preserved, of the new chapelmaster’s son: _Supplicanten_ is hereby graciously assured that in the event of a _vacatur_ of a court musician’s salary he shall have special consideration. Attest our gracious sign manual and the impress of the seal of the Privy Chancellary. Bonn, November 27, 1762. Max Fried. Elector. v. Belderbusch, (:L. S.:) About December, 1763, a singer, Madame Lentner, after some four and a half years of service, threw up her appointment, giving occasion, through the vacancy thus caused, for the following petition, report and decrees: Most Reverend Elector, Most Gracious Lord, Lord.