Letters ad colligendum are granted only by the
commissary-general, chiefly during a contest between
pretenders to an administration, or pending
a suit brought against the validity of a will,
wherein an executor is named; and differs from
the last mentioned administration pendente lite,
in this, that the latter hath the name and power
of an administrator, whereas, the person who
hath letters ad colligendum, bears not the name
of administrator, being only a grantee, and his
power extends no further than to collect the
debts and effects of the deceased, and to return
an inventory thereof to the commissary, which
being done, his commission is executed, and
his power ceaseth; for he is not to pay the
debts of the deceased, nor convert any part
of the estate into money for that purpose, not
even if the effects were perishable, without
being liable to be adjudged, and making himself
chargeable, as an executor in his own wrong.
Godol. 95.