There was an annual fair at the Gilyak village of Pul, below Mariensk, and this was made the center of commerce.

The fair lasted ten days, and during that time Pul was a miniature Nijne Novgorod.

Manjour and Chinese merchants met Japanese from the island of Sakhalin, Tunguse from the coast of the Ohotsk Sea, and others from, the head waters of the Zeya and Amgoon.

There were Gilyaks from the lower Amoor and various tribes of natives from the coast of Manjouria.
A dozen languages were spoken, and traffic was conducted in a patois of all the dialects.

Cloth, powder, lead, knives, and brandy were exchanged for skins and furs.