Robert Lincoln began a search for the first copy in 1908 . He discovered a handwritten copy of the Gettysburg Address among the papers of John Hay -- a copy now known as the `` Hay Draft '' . Robert Lincoln began a search for the original copy in 1908 , which resulted in the discovery of a handwritten copy of the Gettysburg Address among the bound papers of John Hayâ '' a copy now known as the `` Hay Draft . ''