On 2 January 1793, reformer Thomas Muir was arrested for sedition, shortly after joining the group Scottish Friends of the People. Muir was a strong advocate of parliamentary reform and was profoundly affected by the events of the French Revolution. He was arrested for his part in trying to co-ordinate pressure for a reform of parliament and following his arrest, was sentenced to fourteen years transportation.

Although he was rescued by a party of Americans shortly after his transportation, he was then captured by the Spanish and never recovered from the treatment he received at Spanish hands. He died in 1799.