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Ludwig van Beethoven, Brief an den Magistrat der Stadt Wien, Wien, 5. Juli 1819

Beethoven-Haus Bonn, Sammlung H. C. Bodmer, HCB BBr 123

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Summary
Beethoven informs the Magistratthat his nephew is once again under his guardianship, after Mathias Tuscher declined the guardianship. He also informs them that he will send Karl to Blöchlinger's boarding school. Beethoven asks the Magistratfor a decree so that the child's mother, Johanna van Beethoven, is not allowed access to her child. According to the decree of 24 September 1817 this request was not fulfilled.
Following the death of his brother Beethoven had been appointed guardian of his nephew Karl in January 1816. The child's mother fought against this as she wanted the guardianship.
Beethoven thought the mother to be good-for-nothing and wanted to stop her from having contact with her child at any price. After several court cases the battle was only resolved in April 1820, in Beethoven's favour.

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