A Letter from Batista Angeloni - 3
They call themselves Christians, but I know not what title they have to that appellation; there is no sacrament in use in their religion: in fact, they seem to be a set of fatalists, who agree to call that cause which moves them to action, a something proceeding from the spirit. I have heard it affirmed in their company, that the resurrection of the body is not an article of their faith, if they have any at all.
As their number is but small, they draw advantage from that circumstance, being all united in the general interest of the sect. They are almost all in trade, and therefore once in the year they meet in several towns in England, to know the state of those parts of the country: to those places of rendezvous one or more of the Quakers of the towns within two hundred miles always come. At this time their real design of meeting is concealed, by praying and preaching; it is a religious act to the eye, but a political one at the heart; every Quaker who assembles brings the state of the Trade of that town from whence he comes along with him; the particular business of every grocer, mercer, and other tradesman; his industry, manner of living, and expences: by this means the wholesale dealers of London, Bristol, and other great towns, are acquainted with the characters and commerce of all the tradesmen in the kingdom: they know whether their business is such as they may be safely trusted with goods, if industry, and all other requisites for thriving in trade, are observed in their affairs.
Thus the Quakers in the lesser towns and cities of England are spies on the actions of the inhabitants, and preserve their sect from losses in trade. And for this reason they endeavour to establish one of that persuasion in every town, if there are none already, who may bring annual intelligence.
