The most admirable amongst them is your Grand Mass, which you offer me together with the pianoforte score for one thousand florins C. C. and to the acceptance of which at the price I confess my readiness.... Between honest men (_offenen Männern_) like us there is no need of a contract; but if you want one send it to me and I will return it _signed_. If not, please state to me in writing that I am to receive the Mass in question together with the pianoforte score for 1000 florins in 20-florin pieces, and indicate when I am to receive it and that it is to be my _sole property for ever_. I want the first so that I may look upon this transaction as _concluded_, and the time I want to know so that I can arrange about the publication. If I were a rich man I would pay you very differently for this Mass, for I opine that it is something right excellent, especially because it was composed for an occasion; but for me 1000 florins for a Mass is a large expenditure and the entire transaction, on my word, is undertaken only in order to show myself to you and the world as a publisher who does something for art. I must ask another consideration, namely, that _nobody_ learn how much I have paid for the Mass--at least not for some time; I am not a man of large means, but must worry and drudge; nevertheless I pay artists as well as I can and in general better than other publishers. For the present, Peters adds, he does not want to publish larger vocal works by Beethoven nor the Mass singly but along with other works, to show the Viennese publishers that there is a contract between him and Beethoven which obliges the latter to send him compositions. To that end he asks for some songs, a few bagatelles for pianoforte solo, the four military marches; he would be glad to take also the new string quartet, but 50 ducats is beyond his means. Beethoven is at liberty to tell Steiner that he had applied to Beethoven with his knowledge and consent. Beethoven’s answer (incorrectly dated July instead of June 26) says: [Sidenote: SALE OF THE MASS TO PETERS CONFIRMED]