Gurwood again became discouraged about the possibility of progressing in his profession and he was also very distressed by the death of his mother In January 1820. He went on half pay, obtained three months leave of absence, and left for Paris in 1822. In the spring of 1823 he was asked by his friend Sir Charles Stuart, the British Ambassador in Paris, to take some dispatches to Sir William A'Court, the British Ambassador in Spain. He carried out the mission and then travelled round Spain which was in turmoil following the revolt which had forced Ferdinand VII to restore the liberal constitution of 1812. Ferdinand's appeal to his fellow European Monarchs was answered by France but was being resisted by Britain under the Duke of Wellington. On the suggestion of Sir Charles Stuart Gurwood wrote a long report describing and analysing the situation.