baxter became the chairman of the london corresponding society following the arrest of maurice margarot in 1793 and his subsequent transportation. baxter was then described as a journeyman silversmith living in the parish of st leonards, shoreditch. in november 1793 he was responsible for drawing up addresses to 'the friends of peace and parliamentary reform' and to 'his majesty' calling for an end to the war against france, together with thomas hardy, the secretary.