Highly esteemed Sir!
Your capital news was not necessary—however much it delighted me for utilitarian and other reasons—to strengthen me in my carefully considered intentions. I shall not attempt to deny, however, that it had something of this effect. You only confirmed the suggestion of my good spirit which brought to my memory, from my far-distant youth, the city of Bayreuth, lying almost unknown and unnoticed in the centre of Germany, when I was looking about for a spot of German soil upon which I could establish a home for myself.
Now that we have gone so far, offers from other sources are beginning to reach me in regard to my undertaking. The City Council of Baden-Baden offers me a building site gratis; Darmstadt also offers to build a theatre according to my plans and place it at my disposal during the summer months. I feel convinced that I shall never regret having refused these offers. . . .
With the most cordial and respectful greetings, I remain
Yours sincerely,
Richard Wagner.
Source: The Story of Bayreuth as Told in the Bayreuth Letters of Richard Wagner, trans. and ed. Caroline V. Kerr (Small, Maynard and Company, 1912), No. 8