Since you left me an important change has occurred in my situation. I have definitely given up my income from the Ritters. All I shall accept further is the half-year's instalment due on the past New Year's Day, which I shall hand over to Karl Ritter, who last year in Dresden paid an old creditor 400 thalers on my behalf - a sum which I had hoped to repay him in the course of this year from business takings, but which, now that I have broken completely with the impudent young fellow, I must of course give back to him at once. Consequently I am deprived at a stroke of 1500 francs of revenue which I had counted on as certain and destined to cover my New Year's bills. These bills are more pressing than ever this time, as people are expecting the sudden departure of the refugees from Zurich in case of war. Wesendonck, whose support I am already engrossing in another connection, will probably not be back from Paris at all soon; besides, I cannot let him undertake the burden of everything. Under these circumstances my only hope is that the interrupted business negotiations with Hartel's about The Nibelungs, in which, in accordance with your friendly offer, I gave you plenary powers, may yet have a successful issue. But now you are tied to your bed again and will not in any case be able to visit Leipzig as soon as would be needful to settle the business. If you believe that success is certain, the question is how I could at once obtain an advance payment of 1500 francs on the transaction. Moreover, my future amnesty will only be granted when Saxony thinks the right moment has come; the gentlemen there want to show their independence.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 325