in june 1794 he was arrested and indicted for high treason during the 1794 treason trials. one of the prosecution witnesses in the trial of thomas hardy claimed that baxter had said 'there is not a man in the society who believes that a parliamentary reform is all we want; and without having recourse to the sanguinary measures of the french revolution, may be brought about in a few hours. he did not wish the king or any of the royal family to be killed. they may be sent to hanover; but at the fame time some blood must unavoidably be shed, on account of the insults offered to the people, which human nature could not bear.'. however, following the acquittals of hardy , john horne tooke, and john thelwall, the authorities took no further action and he was released in the december. during the period of his imprisonment, baxter's wife received various payments from the london corresponding society.