She accepted a postponement of the engagement, and Custis was enrolled among the students of King's College (subsequently Columbia) in New York City.

Even then, his passion for an education did not develop as his parents hoped.

He left the college in the course of a few months.

Throughout John Custis's perversities, and as long as he lived, Washington's kindness and real affection never wavered.

Although he had now taught himself to practice complete self-control, he could treat with consideration the young who had it not.
By nature Washington was a man of business.