After the expulsion of the Saints from DeWitt, General Atchison reported the condition to Governor Boggs. He informed him that the mob was on the way to Daviess County to continue their ravages, "where it is thought," said the general in his communication, "the same lawless game is to be played over, and the 'Mormons' to be driven from that county, and probably from Caldwell County. Nothing, in my opinion, but the strongest measures within the power of the executive, will put down this spirit of mobocracy." Again, showing the spirit of disapproval of the course taken by the officials in the state, he wrote the governor and said: "I do not feel disposed to disgrace myself, or permit the troops under my command to disgrace the state and themselves by acting the part of a mob. If the 'Mormons' are to be driven from their homes, let it be done without any color of law, and in open defiance thereof; let it be done by volunteers acting upon their own responsibilities!" This was evidently intended as a rebuke, but it and other reports of like character were entirely ignored by Governor Boggs, who remained true to his colors as the advocate of mob rule. Evil Reports Governor Boggs preferred to believe--or more correctly, accepted contrary to his knowledge--the evil reports which flooded his office from the enemies of the Saints. In reporting to the governor the siege of DeWitt, General Samuel D. Lucas, referred to the Saints as "base and degraded beings," who would be exterminated if they dared to kill one of the mobbers besieging them; for such was the hatred of the people. Lucas was one of the most bitter of the enemies of the Church. Reverend Sashiel Woods and Joseph Dickson, October 24, 1838, reported to the governor that "Captain Bogart and all his company, amounting to between fifty and sixty men, were massacred by the 'Mormons' at Buncombe, twelve miles north of Richmond, except three." This false report was made about the time of the battle of Crooked River; and they added that it might be relied on as being true that the "Mormons" expected to lay Richmond in ashes that very morning. Their fiendish appeal ended with these words: "We know not the hour or minute we will be laid in ashes--our country is ruined--for God's sake give us assistance as quick as possible!" This was sent from Carrolton. Similar reports were sent by Amos Rees, formerly attorney for the Church in the Jackson trouble, and Wiley C. Williams, mobocrat, in a communication to Judge Ryland. Judge Ryland answered and said: