The Russians were not idle during the summer. They immense efforts to take root in the fertile land of northern Caucasia. They didn't give up when forced to withdraw; they tried again. They tenaciously resisted Adige attacks.

            His defeat by Haci Huzbek was a serious loss of face for General Vilyaminof. In mid-summer he came back to Abin valley with fresh forces. He first set up a provisional camp. He positioned his artillery batteries at  all around the camp, had trenches dug, and then started building a fortress.

            The direct confrontation and the nightly raids of Haci Huzbek's men were of no avail. Each attempt was countered with artillery fire.

            Both sides suffered heavy losses. Nevertheless fighting went on.

            Haci, on the face of his inability to overwhelm the Russian heavy artillery, decided to cut off the enemy’s lines of communication to block reinforcement. He attacked the Russian installations on bank of river the Kuban, destroyed the landing piers, sank boats, let loose the  barges to be carried away by the current.  He, however, couldn't stop construction of the fortress.

            The Russian Naval commanders had chosen three additional strategic sites to build strongholds, one each at Ğasi, Gelincik and Pğat, after the model of the one the one in the Abin valley. The construction work at each of those locations was begun early the following summer.

            Indaryiko Nogay harassed the workers at Pğat. He succeeded in slowing down the construction, but couldn't force the Russians to abandon the work.

            Surukyiko Duşuj carried on similar activities in the Ğasi region. Geriyiko Ğemız and Bastiko Pğımef couldn't have much of a success against the Russian camp at Gelincik either. There was a heavy concentration of Russian forces there.

            Thus through a chain work of fortresses and strongholds the Adiges were encircled on the land and the sea;  their link to the rest of the world was virtually  severed. Few Turkish and Caucasian sea men though still were navigating in the Caucasian waters in the their light cargo vessels n at a great risk of life and property. Essential items like salt and gun-powder were continued to be supplied, and communication could be maintained in one form or the other  through their efforts.

            It was in those frustrating days when an incident, which comforted the Caucasian leaders, took place. In mid August of 1834, a British man named David Urquhart arrived at the port of Tsemez . He was a First Secretary at the British Embassy in Istanbul.

            The British Ambassador in the Ottoman Capital, Lord Ponsonby, had been watching the Ottoman-Russian relations keenly on behalf of his government. He often  discussed the Caucasian issue with his First secretary,

            David Urquhart was an intelligent person with much interest in world affairs. At various official and social gatherings he had met with Ottoman government officials s of Caucasian origin.

            He took special interest in the Caucasians he met in Istanbul.  For was informed on the developments in Caucasia. He was also informed about the predicament of  Zaniko Sefer, the Envoy of  the Adişe National Congress.

            In due course of time his  interest in the Caucasian affairs exceeded the limits of his official duties.

            The young British diplomat was interest to know the Adişe people who had been gallantly resisting Russia, a Big Power of the time. He visited the districts of Istanbul, where Caucasian refugees lived, and the coffee houses frequented by them. He met and discussed with a large number of the Caucasian in Istanbul. He was fascinated by the freedom loving people. Then, he decided to see situation on the spot.

            Urquhart was familiar with the British policies on the Ottoman and Russian empires. British statesmen, though  not quite sympathetic for the Turks, favored the existence of a weaker Ottoman state. For if Russian tentacles were to reach to the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf, it could jeopardize the security of British India. The British policies towards the Ottomans and the Russians were to a great extent influenced by the same consideration.
By corollary, the British Russophobes, and for that matter at times the British Government,  were interested in the Caucasian resistance in as far as  it supplemented Ottoman defense efforts against Russia. If the Caucasian front were to collapse, the Russian forces along the rivers Kuban and Terek could be free to march further to the south and directly threaten the Anatolian Plains.

            Urquhart submitted a report along the same lines to his Ambassador. He requested for the Ambassador’s permission to go to Caucasia to further study the situation in Caucasia.

            Lord Ponsonby, the then British Ambassador in Istanbul was quite sure at first on the advisability of the proposition. He was subsequently persuaded. He not only sanctioned Urquhart’s request, but also provided him with political and financial support.

            The young diplomat took advantage of a opportunity that presented itself just about that time. 

            In mid-July a British merchant ship anchored at the Istanbul harbor. The captain of the ship, Layon, was an experienced seaman, who had served in the British Navy.

            Urquhart didn’t have to work hard to persuade the captain Layon to call at the Caucasian harbors. For the captain was told that it would be a profitable voyage if he were to carry on board salt and gun-powder, a cargo easily available in Istanbul.

            It took two weeks for the Captain of the Vessel Captain and  Urquhart to prepare for the voyage. Urquhart, in the meantime went to Edirne to see Zaniko Sefer Bey. He obtained from him recommendation letters addressed to the Caucasian leaders. His Adige friends in Istanbul also gave him similar letters to be delivered to appropriate person in Caucasia. He did not neglect hiring guides.

            Urquhart  had been fully briefed by Zaniko Sefer and the Adiges in Istanbul.  Sefer Bey had stressed that Caucasia had been surrendered to Russia under the terms of the Edirne Peace Treaty (September 1829) without consulting the people of that country; that the people of Northern Caucacia had existed in freedom for many centuries, and were absolutely determined to continue to do so; and that he would better understand the issue if he were to see the situation on the spot.

            Captain Layon and Urquhart sailed from Istanbul on board of  the schooner vessel in the first week of August, accompanied with their guides and several Caucasian passengers. Without encountering any notable trouble they entered the Tsemez harbor on the eighth day.

            Geriyiko Ğemız, his nephew Ali, Bastiko Pğımef and Batmazyiko Ali Bey were aware that Britain was one of the Big Powers of the time.  They had been narrated a lot about England by the captains of the foreign cargo vessels calling at Tsemez. Particularly Geriyiko Ğemız and Ali  informed more than the others in that respect; for they had met with many British seamen, and had had transactions with a few British merchants.

            They were pleased when to told that  a British ship had enchored in the Bay, and was waiting for  permission to embark the anchored on board. The Geriyikos rushed to the harbor to see the foreign visitors.

            Since the recent abortive Russian landing at Tsemez certain security measures had been taken on the coast. Watch-posts had been set up  at strategic points to keep track of  navigation. 

            Against all probabilities, the vessel was scrutinized from a distance. The three messengers sent on a boat were interrogated. All three were Caucasians and their statement was checked and was found correct.

            The leaders had good reasons for being cautious.

            Russian war ships had been keeping the Caucasian shores under blockade for the last three years. During this time, they had never allowed foreign ships, including the Turkish vessels, to come close to Caucasian land. A few light sail boats, built locally and in Turkey, had been ferrying clandestinely.

            The message that the captain and his companions could disembark was sent to the British ship.

            The leaders took Urquhart for an ordinary British merchant. The letters from Zaniko Sefer Bey and the statesmen of Caucasian origin in Istanbul revealed them his identity. They showed great interest in him then onwards.

            The news about the British visitors spread throughout the area in no time. Not only the leaders, many people living in the vicinity rushed to Tsemez. All of them were excited to receive an official of a foreign state.

            Geriyiko Ğemız  and the rest of the local leaders briefed Urquhart relevant to their difficult situation. They suggested that they could taken him to the Kuban front line if he so wished in order to have further information.

            Urquhart told them that his visit had to be a brief one. So they arranged for an extended meeting. They intended help him know as much as possible within the available time at their visitor’s disposal.

            Aguy, in the vicinity of Tuaps, was chosen as the venue of the meeting.  They immediately sent out errands
bearing the invitation to all directions .

            In the meantime the cargo of Captain Layon were bartered. The Captain and David Urquhart were escorted to Taups, the former by sea and the latter by land rout. En rout they had a glimpse of each of the Russian strongholds at Gelincik, Sepsin and Pğat.

             A meeting of the provincial representatives of the National Assembly was held in  the Aguy valley. The leaders once again presented an assessment of the existing difficult situation. They let it be known to the visitors that the Caucasian peoples had been resisting with bare swords the onslaught of the Russian forces armed with rifles and artillery; and therefore they were in urgent need for military supplies.

            Urquhart, learned a lot relevant to the Caucasian cause both from the people he had met in Istanbul as well as from what he witnessed and heard in Caucasia while in Tsemez. He had derived certain conclusions. He had was in a position to assess the basic virtues as well as the handicaps of the Caucasian in general. When he was invited to address the meeting, he candidly expressed his views. Also he avoided giving false hopes. He said,

            - So far as I have noticed you lead a tribal life.  You are divided and disorganized.  You are not united under a central administration.  You are not under a united command while at war either.  This situation dissipates you energy, your resources.  Please listen to me carefully. Your self-confidence,  and your unity are far more important than any assistance from abroad. 

            He continued after a short pause.

            - I am not in a position to provide you with material assistance; nor have I the authority make any commitment to the same effect.  Nevertheless, I will tell my government that you are a people who deserve attention. I will explain how difficult your situation is. I will extend your request for aid to my government.

            Urquhart stayed in Caucasia two weeks. He noted down everything he observed and everything he heard. At his departure he was given a rousing good-bye by a large crowd. 

            He was highly impressed. He was fascinated by the coherent statements,  noble conduct, and dedication to freedom of the people of Caucasia, devoid of a government, a treasury, and an education system.

            Throughout his voyage back to Istanbul he imagined as to what could be done to help the Caucasian patriots, and  about the report he would be submitting to his government. At any rate he had made up his mind to do everything in his power to support the Caucasian cause.

             The Caucasian leader, who had met him and had listened to him,  also were equally impressed by Urquhart. Though not insinuated, they were inspired with lofty expectations. The visit of the British diplomat remained a topical event for quite a long time.

            The notable leaders such as Indaryiko Mehmet, Geriyiko Ğemız, Bastiko Pğımef, Havuduko Mansur had reached to a precise conclusion: Urquhart had been too cautious in expressing his mind. He had avoided to tell the truth. Britain would certainly be coming to their help. Otherwise they  wouldn't have sent their  diplomat to Caucasia.

            Bastiko Psımef was very pleased to see ideas he had been advocating for many years, being voiced by a foreigner. He didn't refrain from drawing the attention of the leaders to the similarities between his own words and those of Urquhart.

            Some of them agreed with Bastiko Pğımef. But others like Geriyiko Ğemız and Surukyiko Duguj, smiled in their sleeves and said the " Prince of  Tsemez is again in a fit of fancy!"

            Ğemız and Duguj were indeed gallant persons; but yet they were unable  to see certain realities. They had built their future on illusions and arrogance.They had ignored Urquhart's words on the mistakes  and the handicaps of the Caucasians. Instead they were obsessed with the idea of a probable British aid coming through. They were imagining the dimensions the supposed aid. All they what they were interested was to sew the British Navy in the Black see waters,  chase away the Russian ships patrolling the Caucasian shores, and destroy the fortresses being built. The rest was easy to be handled. They were not considering any changes in their daily life, and in their conduct. They didn’t appreciate the need for such changes.

            Those that had surrendered to false hope, didn't feel the necessity to mobilize their own resources to bring about new defensive measures; didn't take any serious steps to unify forces, to set up a united front against the enemy. For a long time, they expectantly looked into the misty horizon on the Black Sea.

            However, the situation did not unfold they way they had imagined.

            Hord Ponsonby, the British ambassador in Istanbul, forwarded Urquhart's report to his government. Lord Palmerston, the British Foreign Secretary of the time, was incensed by what the Ambassador and his First Secretary had done, over stepping their authority. In his reply memorandum the Foreign Secretary noted:

            "The gentleman who visited Circassia, has jeopardized the European security."

            Lord Ponsonby in an attempt to defend his First Secretary, submitted a detailed assessment of the situation, intended to persuade the Foreign Secretary to favorably consider the earlier recommendations.

            Lord Palmerston was further annoyed. He recalled and dismissed David Urquhart.