SANTIAGO. 
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was elevated into an archbishopric, that of Havana remaining a bishopric. 
More than once the Cathedral has been looted, the chalices taken from its 
altar and the bells from its towers by pirates and buccaneers. About 1602 
Santiago was almost depopulated by the invasions of the pirates. In that 
year the Bishop returning to the city from a visit to Bayanio, was cap¬ 
tured by the pirate Giron, tied, stripped and carried off to the pirate’s ship, 
where he was detained for eighty days, until ransomed by the payment of 
two hundred ducats and eighty arrobas of beef by Don Gregorio Ramos, 
who, after rescuing the Bishop, succeeded in destroying the pirate. 
Because of insecurity at Santiago, this Bishop attempted to establish his 
Cathedral at Havana. The Governor, however, in order to prevent the 
depopulation of Santiago, established here a subordinate Governor and 
charged him with the protection of the town against the pirates. 
THE UNITED STATES CONSULATE. 
