The issue is the freedom of the press. Hawkeye and Chingachgook visit Nathan Peale who prints a newspaper and is waiting for a new printing machine to arrive.
Peale has made enemies as he tries to find out who has been selling liquor to the Indians. Firewater is bad news for Indians and frowned upon by Chingachgook. It seems someone is trading for liquor for gold in their territory.
After an argument Peale has with his brother in law. Peale is arrested for murder for the death of his brother in law.
Hawkeye investigate after the District Governor plans to try and execute Peale pretty rapidly.
Hawkeye needs an Indian called Red Fox to spill the beans and gets him drunk with turpentine.
There is a bit of treachery here and several crooked guys. A little bit more story to this episode. It might be that freedom of the press was an important issue in the post McCarthy era.