While Caroline Woidat's edition of Oakes Smith's novel of 1842, The Western Captive (Broadview 2015) has given scholars and students the first critical edition of the work of this neglected woman writer, speaker and activist, this paper serves to supply a context largely missing from the supporting matter the edition offers, including letters documenting the offer of the manuscript to Oakes Smith's agent Rufus Griswold. While her seemingly coy protestation that she owed her reputation to "personal friends" has been dismissed by readers crediting the progressive themes of the work, which take the part of the Native Shawnee and a white woman adopted by the tribe, this paper argues that it makes sense to read these letters literally--at least with respect to this early progressive novel--especially given the dominant imperialist ideology of American readers in years preceding the Mexican War, and the fact that indeed, editors went so far as to advertise the novel (carelessly or purposely) as "The Western Captain" in weeks preceding its publication.