It must be borne in mind that the 'American Revolution' was not actually a revolution, or even (as some have said) a coup d'etat. It was more of a boardroom reshuffle in which the former CEO, George III, was dismissed and the companys' Articles of Incorporation were re-written.

The colonies were, first and foremost, business ventures in which, by virtue of having granted the Charters, King George was a majority shareholder. He reaped enormous profits on which he paid no taxes, while expecting Parliament to pay for the security of the colonies against hostile natives and French encroachment.

Thus the rather half-hearted effort to suppress the rebellion and the almost immediate resumption of trade afterwards.