ABSTRACT
It is claimed for Fésé that his expedition, if it did nothing more, kept Shamil quiet during the whole of 1838, but this result is surely not much to boast of. He was quiet indeed, deadly quiet, for he was engaged in a double work of construction, moral and material, that absorbed every faculty, engrossed all attention, claimed each waking hourthe building up of his authority and power amongst the tribes, the building up of his fortresses on the cliffs of Akhoulgó-and to such good purpose did he work in both directions that early in 1839 the Russian Government came to the conclusion that “ it was necessary at last to take the most effectual measures against the growing might of Shamil, and to that end ordered a decisive campaign in northern Daghestan.” 1
Shamil’s authority was now recognised by all the free com munities lying round Avaria, including Andee and Goumbet, with the exception of Andalial and the unruly people of Ountsoukoul, whose policy seems to have been dictated mainly by a hatred of their neighbours of Ghimree. When
the latter aoul was submissive to Russia, Ountsoukoul became hostile ; when Ghimree rose in arms, Ountsoukoul hastened to submit. In Tchetchnia his lieutenant, TashofF Hadji, had succeeded in bringing over to his cause whole districts. Salatau and Aoukh declared themselves openly for the Imâm, except such aouls as lay dangerously near the Russian lines, Tchirkei, for instance, and these only waited the favourable moment to follow suit. In southern Daghestan the communities on the Upper Samour were openly hostile to Russia. On the northern plain the peace ful tribes, such as the Koumuiks, trembled for their lives and property, and the “ submitted ” aouls of Lower Tchetchnia were in still worse case, for they were between the hammer and the anvil, certain to be raided whether they took either side or none. It was time for the Russians to be up and doing.
