Diligence was a Spanish prize that British owners acquired in 1799.

Then in 1801–1802 she made one complete voyage as a slave ship in the triangular trade in enslaved people.

On her second voyage transporting enslaved people, the French captured her in 1804 before she had embarked any captives.

[5] In April 1804, Lloyd's List reported that the French had captured Diligence, Bowland, master, and had taken her into Gorée.

[6][b] In 1804, 30 British slave vessels were lost; six were captured on their way to Africa.