[...] As regards the American March, of which a fair copy is just being carefully prepared for your compositors, I have to draw your attention to the following circumstance:
Some two months ago, Music-Director Thomas of New York inquired whether I would do such a composition for him and how much I would ask for making over to him the United States copyright, plus royalties on performances. He asked me, should we come to an agreement, not to issue the first German (European) edition until six months after the first performance in America. From Thomas's letter, which I enclose, you will see that copyright could not be secured in North America and that my composition has been bought purely to adorn the anniversary of some women's club. Now, you will know best how to enforce the copyright, which I hereby bestow on you, in Europe and wherever else you have rights, and I am sending you the work as soon as I get it from the copyist. Rubinstein will at once prepare a two- and four-handed pianoforte arrangement for you, having often played the march from the full score for the entertainment of my friends. [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 686